Steps toward cures

IBD Research

"The future is very bright. It is exciting that we could have multiple effective medications with different mechanisms of action. This is great news for patients, since we know that not everyone responds to the same medications. It is exhilarating to think that sometime soon our most important challenge will be to learn how to best use the therapies that we have available."

— James Lewis, MD, MSCE, Chief Scientist, IBD Plexus

Never has there been a more exciting time for the Foundation than right now. We are on the brink of game-changing breakthroughs for our patients. Our research portfolio includes funding an estimated 200 research projects a year. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $350 million in the research of IBD.

First and foremost, we have always been committed to providing opportunities for researchers at every stage of their careers -- from Career Development Awards to Senior Research Grants - paving a desirable career path that attracts young investigators while retaining those already making valuable contributions in the field. However, in order to really set the stage for significant breakthroughs, in the past decade the research program has been expanded beyond researcher-initiated grants into funding multi-year, multi-disciplinary research initiatives such as Genetics, Microbiome, and Pediatrics. These programs have already begun to provide insight into new patient therapies, treatments and diagnostics.

IBD Plexus

One of our most exciting and important initiatives is IBD Plexus. IBD Plexus is the largest and most innovative research and information exchange platform ever created and will transform how IBD research will be conducted. The Plexus platform will speed progress toward precision medicine by enabling novel research, leading to better diagnostics, treatments and, ultimately, cures for IBD.